Bix: Man and Legend

BIX; MAN AND LEGEND BY RICHARD N. SUDHALTER published in 1974 by Arlington House is the most accessible biography that is generally available of the legendary yet elusive Bix Beiderbecke, jazz coronetist extrordinaire. Leon Bix Beiderbecke was born in Davenport Iowa in 1903, became a full time musician by the early 1920s and during the period of that decade was the most influential of the young middle class white jazz musicians. Not neccesarily the most well known, but the player whose influence spread far and wide due to recordings made under his own name and as a sideman for more famed leaders. Eventually, in 1927, he became the star soloist of the biggest and most famous big band in the country, led by The King of Jazz himself, Paul Whiteman and for a while apparently was fairly well known to the jazz public, which was something new for a sideman who rarely led his own band, even on recording sessions. Unfortunately, Bix could not control his drinking alcohol and therein lay his ruin. The "young man with a horn" was wiped out healthwise like many another imbiber of illegal spirits and died before the age of thirty. Richard M. Sudhalter relates Bix's story down to most of the available details, even including some that are sheer speculation and are generally labeled as such. Mr. Sudhalter has done a yeoman's job putting this chronicle of the jazz age together, including a personal chronology of Bix's life and a detailed discography with discussions of discs upon which Bix may or may not have been playing. Bix Man and Legend is an altogether engrosssing book which brings back the atmosphere and times of the twenties to life, for better and for worse. This biography documents the short life of one of the most influetial yet generally unknown musicians of the early twentieth century and is an excellent and engrossing chronicle. Bix: Man and Legend is one terrific book. I only wish there were a comparably high quality volume on Louis Armstrong.

I have long been a fan of Bix Beiderbecke, and this book provided more information about his life than I would have thought possible. It showed what a genius he really was, and displayed many aspects of his sometimes sunny, sometimes dark disposition. The book was very detailed, and at times I could swear I had been there. The attitude of the times was well described, and you could almost see how Bix and the people around him lived and felt. I feel this book does great justice to Bix's tumultuous but short life. I loved this biography so much, I can't say enough about it.

In planning for Bix Beiderbecke museum exhibits, I read the book for historical background on the musician who has long been my favorite. I was enthralled by the depth AND breadth of the author's approach, and multiplied my previous knowledge of his life, times, compatriots, instruments, and, of course, the music. I would love to contact the author or publisher to get permission to use parts in the museum exhibits!

This is the first jazz biography ever to have been nominated for a National Book Award. It captures the flavor of Beiderbecke's life and times, while providing dazzling details on every aspect of his music. Written by a journalist who is also an accomplished cornet player, it is a readable and informative work that will reward every reader who is interested in jazz history. The impeccable discography alone, prepared by the author's wife Vivian, is worth the price of the book for jazz collectors